SAINTS SIMPLY STAGGERING

After being shut out by Gilman in its season-opener, St. Mary’s is off to a staggering start in against MIAA B Conference opponents.

The Saints lost their season opener, 36-0, at Gilman, last year’s MIAA A Conference tri-champion
with Loyola and McDonogh.

But since then, the Saints have won when it has counted.

In three straight victories over MIAA B Conference opponents, the Saints have averaged more than 52 points, six sacks and nearly two interceptions.

The Saints are 3-0 in the B Conference, having out-scored rivals, St. Vincent Pallotti, John Carroll and Boys’ Latin, by a combined, 158-14, with two shutouts.

Senior running back-defensive Dontra Peters has rushed for 625 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Peter Athens, a transfer from Northern of Calvert County who is one of 10 children and who has also starred in wrestling and lacrosse, has thrown for 602 yards and seven TDs.

Sophomore receiver Mark Mcneil has 17 receptions for 378 yards and five TDs.

Senior placekicker Alex Nasser, a first-year high school football player who also competes on the
Saints’ MIAA B Conference soccer team, has missed only three of his 21 extra point attempts.

Defensively, senior defensive end Marlon Johnson (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) leads the team with
eight sacks, followed by defensive end JP Dalton (6-3, 195) with six.

Sophomore free safety Marcus Snipes has a team-high three interceptions.

“In the last two games, we’ve had over 400 yards of total offense,” said coach Mike Clay, who is in his third season with the Saints.

Clay credits offensive linemen Alex Carlson (Sr., 6-4, 225), Nathan Davis (Sr., 6-5, 230), Matt Mickler (Sr., 6-3, 275), Sam Duquette (Jr., 6-3, 245), Garrett Norris (Jr., 5-11, 225) and DJ Ratliff (Soph., 6-3, 305).

Clay had some mental rebuilding to do following the loss to Gilman, their fourh straight dating back to last season, when they finished at 6-4 overall.

“We dealt with the Gilman loss by regrouping. We knew we were a pretty good team,” Clay said.
“But we had a bye, and we were able to develop over the next two weeks before we hit the meat
of our schedule.”

The Saints will get a true barometer of their progress on Friday night at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium,
when they play host to MIAA A Conference opponent Georgetown Prep.

The visiting Little Hoyas edged Gilman earlier this year, 14-6.

“They’re a physical team,” Clay said. “We have to minimize the mistakes we had against Gilman if
we expect to compete.”

The following are team statistics that were submitted by Clay:

Week 1 – Lost – Gilman -36 STM – 0
Week 2– won – STM- 50 Pollotti- 0
Week 3– won – STM- 52 John Carroll- 0
Week 4– won STM- 56 Boys Latin – 14

Passing

Peter Athens- 33 completions 50 attempts – 602 yards – 7 TDS

Rushing

Player                       Year                       Stats

Dontra Peters           Senior        55 carries for 625 yards and 10 tds
Neil Lewnes              Junior        19 carries for 166 yards  and 3 tds
Peter Athens             Junior        14 carries for 114 yards – 1td
Justin Ely                Sophomore   7 carries for 33 yards 1 td
Dominique Spence   Freshman    3 carries for 28 yards 1 td
Charlie Buenamen     Junior        4 carries for 10 yards

Receiving

Mark Mcneil           Sophomore    17 rec. for 378 yards and 5tds
Trey Quinn                Junior         3 rec. for 70 yards
Danny Rogers            Senior        2 rec. for 61 yards and 1 td
Drew Stanford        Sophomore    1 Rec. 21 yards and 1td
Colin Donohue            Junior        1 Rec -26
Dontra Peters             Senior       5 rec. for 40 yards

X-pt kicks

Alex Nassar                 Senior        18 for 21

Defensive Stats
                   
JT. Gataue                   Senior       17 tackles 1 sack
Marlon Johnson            Senior       34 tackles – 8 sacks
Charlie Buenamen        Junior        9 tackle 1 sack 1 forced fumble
JP Dalton                     Senior       19 Tackles 6 sacks
John Anderson             Junior        24 tackles – 1 sack
EJ Haught                    Senior        29 Tackles
Jason Gonos                Junior         25 tackles 2 fumble recoveries 1 INT
Taylor Rosseau            Senior        17 tackles
Marcus Snipes           Sophomore   7 tackles 3 INT
Billy Schilling                Senior        19 Tackles 1 sack
Eric Wall                      Senior        7 Tackles 1 sack
Dontra Peters               Senior        8 tackles 2 fumble recoveries
Neil Lewnes                 Junior          5 tackles
Dominique Spence      Freshman      4 tackles
Ryland De Pol            Sophomore     6 tackles 1 INT
Basil Dawson                Junior          2 tackles